Preview — Sultana's Legacy
by Lisa J. Yarde

Sultana's Legacy

In thirteenth-century Moorish Spain, the Sultanate of Granada faces a bleak future, as a tyrant seizes control. Fatima, the daughter of a Sultan, and her devoted husband Faraj have enjoyed years of peace and prosperity. Now, a power-hungry madman claims the throne. He murders almost everyone Fatima holds dear. His reign fractures a weakened Sultanate, under siege from ChriIn thirteenth-century Moorish Spain, the Sultanate of Granada faces a bleak future, as a tyrant seizes control. Fatima, the daughter of a Sultan, and her devoted husband Faraj have enjoyed years of peace and prosperity. Now, a power-hungry madman claims the throne. He murders almost everyone Fatima holds dear. His reign fractures a weakened Sultanate, under siege from Christian kingdoms to the north and Moorish dynasties in the south. Fatima must preserve the legacy of her forefathers at all costs. She risks everything, even the love and trust of her husband. Amidst treachery and intrigue, she stands alone against her adversaries, determined to avenge terrible losses. Can she survive the test of divided loyalties and shocking betrayals?...more

Community Reviews

"In thirteenth-century Moorish Spain, the Sultanate of Granada faces a bleak future, as a tyrant seizes control. Fatima, the daughter of a Sultan, and her devoted husband Faraj have enjoyed years of peace and prosperity. Now, a power-hungry madman claims the throne. He murders almost everyone Fatima holds dear. His reign fractures a weakened Sultanate, under siege from Christian kingdoms to the north and Moorish dynasties in the south. Fatima must preserve the legacy of her forefathers at all co"In thirteenth-century Moorish Spain, the Sultanate of Granada faces a bleak future, as a tyrant seizes control. Fatima, the daughter of a Sultan, and her devoted husband Faraj have enjoyed years of peace and prosperity. Now, a power-hungry madman claims the throne. He murders almost everyone Fatima holds dear. His reign fractures a weakened Sultanate, under siege from Christian kingdoms to the north and Moorish dynasties in the south. Fatima must preserve the legacy of her forefathers at all costs."

Historical fiction has become quite popular in recent years, and this spike in popularity has raised the bar as far as reader expectations.Sultana's Legacy by Lisa Yarde is a welcome addition to the historical fiction genre. This is a very well written and well researched novel, with several plots, each well constructed to form a whole and characters that run the gamut from wise and pure to genuine evil.

The main character, Fatima, although born to a powerful man, is so well written, so complex, that the reader is able to connect to her, a very impressive feat for a character living in the 13th Century. Moorish controlled Spain is a facinating period in world history, yet not a common time in which to base a novel. Under the superb writing skills of Lisa Yarde, both locations and atmosphere ring so very true. Sultana's Legacy is both an entertaining and emotional read - and also quite an informative one as well. Who could ask for anything more from a novel? A winner from a terrific writer!!

Sultana's Legacy is a sad and violent story about the downfall of a family. If you read the first book, you would remember Fatima and Faraj and their incredible love for each other and you probably thought, "This is going to be a HEA.." Eh, not really.

There is too much drama to summarize it in a nice and neat little review package. It spans the entire last half of Fatima's and Faraj's lives. We get to know their children and meet their grandchildren and see how the Sultanate has cursed their livSultana's Legacy is a sad and violent story about the downfall of a family. If you read the first book, you would remember Fatima and Faraj and their incredible love for each other and you probably thought, "This is going to be a HEA.." Eh, not really.

There is too much drama to summarize it in a nice and neat little review package. It spans the entire last half of Fatima's and Faraj's lives. We get to know their children and meet their grandchildren and see how the Sultanate has cursed their lives, how greed ruins a family.

When I first looked at book in the beginning, I thought I would have trouble on the kindle keeping track of who is who since the names are repeated so many times; however, the author presented the information such that I did not have trouble understanding which person she was talking about.Revenge and greed for power certainly does destroy.

Love, joy, hate, betrayal, loss, and revenge, The story of Fatima and Faraj, their children, grandchildren, and the extended family. Set in Andalusia, Spain from 1294-1325.

Many characters share the same first name but the author helps by adding an identifying title for the main characters: my son. my father, my husband,etc. The names of minor characters: children, servants, concubines are more confusing.

Place names are written with Arabic names and dates follow the Islamic calendar but the EnglLove, joy, hate, betrayal, loss, and revenge, The story of Fatima and Faraj, their children, grandchildren, and the extended family. Set in Andalusia, Spain from 1294-1325.

Many characters share the same first name but the author helps by adding an identifying title for the main characters: my son. my father, my husband,etc. The names of minor characters: children, servants, concubines are more confusing.

Place names are written with Arabic names and dates follow the Islamic calendar but the English names and Christian dates follow.

Human life seems to have little value. People are killed, poisoned, and strangled as an act of revenge, in a fit of anger or displeasure,or for political advantage.

No sexViolence is widespread but mentioned in passing and not graphic....more

Totally engrossing story of the rulers of Al-Andalus in the 13th and early 14th centuries. Filled with love, conspiracies, betrayals, honor, and a seriously high body count, this story of the Nasrid rulers and their complicated hold on power is a great page-turner, super compelling. In particular, the protagonist--Fatima--is complicated and frustrating, and yet you wish at every turn for events to turn to her favor. It was a joy learning more about a time and place introduced in the previous booTotally engrossing story of the rulers of Al-Andalus in the 13th and early 14th centuries. Filled with love, conspiracies, betrayals, honor, and a seriously high body count, this story of the Nasrid rulers and their complicated hold on power is a great page-turner, super compelling. In particular, the protagonist--Fatima--is complicated and frustrating, and yet you wish at every turn for events to turn to her favor. It was a joy learning more about a time and place introduced in the previous book, Sultana. It's clear Yarde did her research, but it doesn't overwhelm the narrative, instead adding so much to the story. 4.5 stars! ...more

Having read and enjoyed the love story that slowly evolved between Fatima and Faraj in 'Sultana', I looked forward to reading what happened next. This sequel surprised me in that, although every bit as beautifully written a the first one, it took an astonishing, almost shocking turn in its portrayal of a family in crisis and ultimate breakdown. How loyalties can be split and ambition get in the way of familial loyalty was exquisitely shown and so sad. Even more amazing was that the story was basHaving read and enjoyed the love story that slowly evolved between Fatima and Faraj in 'Sultana', I looked forward to reading what happened next. This sequel surprised me in that, although every bit as beautifully written a the first one, it took an astonishing, almost shocking turn in its portrayal of a family in crisis and ultimate breakdown. How loyalties can be split and ambition get in the way of familial loyalty was exquisitely shown and so sad. Even more amazing was that the story was based on the true story of the last rulers of Moorish Spain. Thoroughly enjoyable....more

She is the author of two historical novels set in medieval England and Normandy, On Falcon’s Wings, featuring a star-crossed romance between Norman and Saxon lovers before the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and The Burning Candle, based on the life of the first countess of Leicester and Surrey, Isabel de Vermandois, progenitor of royaLisa J. Yarde writes fiction inspired by the Middle Ages in Europe.

She is the author of two historical novels set in medieval England and Normandy, On Falcon’s Wings, featuring a star-crossed romance between Norman and Saxon lovers before the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and The Burning Candle, based on the life of the first countess of Leicester and Surrey, Isabel de Vermandois, progenitor of royal and non-noble lines still living today.

Lisa has completed a six-part series set in Moorish Spain, Sultana, Sultana’s Legacy, Sultana: Two Sisters, Sultana: The Bride Price, Sultana: The Pomegranate Tree, and Sultana: The White Mountains, where rivalries and ambitions threaten the fragile bonds between members of the last Muslim dynasty to rule in Europe. The first title in the series is currently translated into three languages. Lisa's short story, The Legend Rises, chronicles the Welsh princess Gwenllian of Gwynedd's valiant fight against twelfth-century English invaders and is also available now.

Born in Barbados, Lisa currently lives in New York City. She is a member of the Historical Novel Society, has been a presenter at its 2015 Denver conference and serves as the co-chair of the Historical Novel Society – New York City chapter. Lisa is also an avid blogger and moderates at Unusual Historicals. She is also a contributor at Great Historicals and History & Women. Her personal blog is The Brooklyn Scribbler....more